What is a codec?

Question

What is a codec?

Answer 1

A codec is a device or program capable of encoding and/or decoding a digital data stream or signal.

Answer 2

Data is compressed decoded to stream to save band width. It has to be encoded or uncompressed so you can play it. Loads of different formats ways to do this,  Bla Bla bla doesn't sound right sorry.    Check out other answers good luck.

Answer 3

It's short for coder decoder.  It's a bit of code used to decode and encode audio and video files.

Audio and video come in different formats.  You need a different codec for each format.